Staci. Moore. IS MY NURSE.  SHE TALKS A LOT ABOUT HIM. MAY HE REST IN PEACE

My Uncle Tommy

Thomas McElwain

AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION

Silver Star

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War

Service: Army

Rank: Captain

Battalion: 1st Battalion (Airborne)

Division: 101st Airborne Division

GENERAL ORDERS:

Headquarters, I Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 211 (March 7, 1968)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Thomas McElwain (ASN: 0-5320350), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Captain McElwain distinguished himself on 11 November 1967, while serving as Commanding Officer of Company C, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate) during a search and destroy mission near Dak To, Republic of Vietnam. When Company C came under a heavy enemy mortar, rocket and small arms attack, Captain McElwain distinguished himself on several occasions during the seven-hour battle. On one occasion, he personally dashed through a heavy barrage of enemy fire to drag a wounded man to safety. He completely exposed himself throughout the battle to shout words of encouragement to his men. As the enemy launched a savage attack on the perimeter, he personally accounted for six enemy killed as they penetrated the lines. Upon observing the commander of a sister unit fall mortally wounded, Captain McElwain immediately assumed command of both rifle companies. Although wounded, he called in air strikes, gunships and directed the artillery fire to within fifty meters of friendly lines. When the relief force arrived, Captain McElwain immediately briefed the commander on the situation and began preparing a landing zone for the evacuation of the wounded. Due to the intense fire of the enemy, it was impossible to complete the landing zone. Captain McElwain organized the withdrawal of both rifle companies as well as the relief force to the previous night's logger site. Upon arrival at the logger site, he quickly formed another perimeter to prevent any further enemy attacks and supervised the evacuation of the wounded to the rear area. Captain McElwain's decisive actions resulted in one hundred forty-two enemy killed as opposed to friendly casualties of seven killed and sixty-five wounded. Captain McElwain's exceptional display of personal valor was in the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.